Mall brand meaning: an experiential branding perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 262-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bill Merrilees ◽  
Dale Miller ◽  
Wei Shao

Purpose This paper aims to examine mall consumer brand meaning through understanding consumer brand associations of shopping malls. Design/methodology/approach Building on the literature, a quantitative methodology is applied. A large sample (n = 755) of an Australian shopping mall is surveyed, and the data are analysed using structural equation modelling. Findings The first set of findings is that mall atmosphere and mall merchandise are the main determinants of consumer mall satisfaction. In turn, consumer mall satisfaction and mall merchandise are the main determinants of consumer mall brand attitudes. Research limitations/implications The study is the first known study to measure consumer-based mall brand meaning quantitatively. This discovery gives a more holistic understanding of the mall brand. Additionally, the study highlights that mall branding is essentially experiential branding. Practical implications The study provides sound guidance for mall managers by suggesting priorities in shaping the mall brand, the emphasis on mall atmosphere and the criticality of tenant mix. Some malls spend hundreds of millions of dollars on refurbishments, enhancing mall atmosphere, consistent with the emphasis of this paper. Social implications More effective experiential branding could influence community well-being. Originality/value This original research pioneers the discovery of customer-based mall brand meaning. Additionally, the study adds to the experiential branding literature. Sensory experiences are not sufficient to examine brand experiences; additionally, the core product (mall merchandise in our context) enhances the total (mall) brand experience.

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Calvo-Porral ◽  
Jean-Pierre Lévy-Mangín

Purpose This study addresses the following question: “What factors attract customers to the shopping mall?”, since the commercial attraction of this major retailing format is an undertaken variable. So, the purpose of this paper is to provide an empirical analysis of the main commercial pull factors of the shopping malls in order to attract potential customers. Design/methodology/approach For this purpose, the authors provide and empirically test a conceptual model considering the variables convenience, tenant variety and specialisation, internal environment, leisure and communication. Data were analysed through structural equation modelling on a sample of 253 customers. Findings The findings suggest that tenant variety and the internal environment of the mall – understood as an adequate tenant mix and a pleasant, attractive environment – are the main determinants of attracting customers. However, the convenience of the shopping mall and the communication activities do not show a significant influence as pull factors. Originality/value The results obtained suggest that marketing managers have numerous tools to influence customers’ intention to visit and patronise shopping malls.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Evi Chatzopoulou ◽  
Markos Marios Tsogas ◽  
Marina Kyriakou

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of atmospheric cues encountered in the complex retail environment of pharmacies and, in addition, to test the boundary conditions for the formation of experience-rich emotions. Following this rationale, the research succeeds to partially explain patronage decisions and behavior in pharmacies.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative methodology was used, using a structured questionnaire. Data were collected using a multistage sampling approach of days of the week and times of each day, seeking responses from customers exiting three, aesthetically diverse types of pharmacies in the wider area of Athens, Greece. Structural equation modeling techniques were used to test the measurement using SmartPLS3 statistical software.FindingsThe results primarily confirm the multidimensionality and complexity of atmospherics in pharmacies and the consequent effect on customers’ emotional state. Emotions, amplified by repeat visitation, have both a direct and a mediated effect on customer loyalty while emotional attachment acts as the mediator.Originality/valueThe recent elevation of pharmacies from a mere convenient shopping destination of mostly emergency goods to a shopping alternative for a wide variety of well-being goods and services, necessitates the shift of focus of research from the technical expertise of the pharmacist to the enabling dimensions of the retailing environment. The paper answers this need and test the boundary conditions for the development of experience-rich emotions in retailing. The proposed model indicates the significant impact of atmospherics in customer decision-making even in the complex setting of pharmacies.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jannica Heinström ◽  
Farhan Ahmad ◽  
Isto Huvila ◽  
Stefan Ek

PurposeThis study introduces sense of coherence (SOC) as a factor in information sharing at the workplace.Design/methodology/approachData were collected by a survey conducted on 311 respondents in a multinational organization, and analyzed using partial least square structural equation modelling.FindingsSOC influenced information sharing both directly and indirectly as mediated by trust and employee learning orientation. Trust, moreover, influenced receiving information more strongly than sending it, while employee learning orientation more strongly affected sending information.Originality/valueThe findings underline the importance of a holistic understanding of information sharing, including individual differences and employee well-being.


2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 446-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilmar B. Schaufeli

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to integrate leadership into the job demands-resources (JD-R) model. Based on self-determination theory, it was argued that engaging leaders who inspire, strengthen, and connect their followers would reduce employee’s levels of burnout and increase their levels of work engagement. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey was conducted among a representative sample of the Dutch workforce (n=1,213) and the research model was tested using structural equation modeling. Findings – It appeared that leadership only had an indirect effect on burnout and engagement – via job demands and job resources – but not a direct effect. Moreover, leadership also had a direct relationship with organizational outcomes such as employability, performance, and commitment. Research limitations/implications – The study used a cross-sectional design and all variables were based on self-reports. Hence, results should be replicated in a longitudinal study and using more objective measures (e.g. for work performance). Practical implications – Since engaged leaders, who inspire, strengthen, and connect their followers, provide a work context in which employees thrive, organizations are well advised to promote engaging leadership. Social implications – Leadership seems to be a crucial factor which has an indirect impact – via job demands and job resources – on employee well-being. Originality/value – The study demonstrates that engaging leadership can be integrated into the JD-R framework.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Auditya Purwandini Sutarto ◽  
Shanti Wardaningsih ◽  
Wika Harisa Putri

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore to what extent employees' mental well-being affects their productivity while working from home (WFH) during the COVID-19 crisis and whether mental well-being and productivity differ across some socio-demographic factors.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study with online questionnaires was designed with 472 valid responses in Indonesia. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (IWPQ) were administered. Non-parametric tests and structural equation modeling were employed to analyze the data.FindingsThe prevalence of depression was 18.4%, anxiety 46.4% and stress 13.1%, with relatively good productivity. Gender, age, education level, job experiences, marital status, number of children and nature of the organization were associated with the employees' psychological health but not with their productivity, while the workspace availability influenced both outcomes. The study path model showed the negative correlation between WFH employees' psychological well-being and productivity.Research limitations/implicationsThis study may contribute to the implication of current mandatory WFH on mental well-being and productivity. Further studies need to address the representativeness and generalizability issues as well as incorporating potential stressors.Practical implicationsOrganizations may adopt WFH as a future working arrangement and identify the individual and occupational characteristics that provide the most impacts on productivity. It is also necessary for them to develop proper strategies to mitigate the psychological risks and overcome the WFH challenges.Originality/valueThere is still a lack of studies investigating the relationship between simultaneous effects of WFH on psychological well-being and productivity, and how they affect some socio-demographic variables in the context of COVID-19.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Dharma Tuah Putra Nasution ◽  
Ahmad Rafiki ◽  
Adelina Lubis ◽  
Yossie Rossanty

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (EO), knowledge management process (KMP) and dynamic capability (DC) toward the adoption of electronic commerce (e-commerce) of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in North Sumatera. Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative methodology using Smart PLS of structural equation model. A survey is done by distributing the questionnaires to the respondents (owner-managers) of SMEs across sectors. Using a convenient sampling technique, 131 respondents were selected. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 11 hypotheses were tested. Findings It is found that both innovativeness and proactiveness of EO have a significant relationship with e-commerce adoption (EA), while the risk-taking of EO is found as insignificant. Both risk-taking and proactiveness of EO are significantly related to KMP, but innovation of EO is found to be insignificant. Moreover, KMP significantly mediates the relationship between risk-taking and proactiveness of EO and EA, while KMP insignificantly mediates the relationship between innovativeness of EO and EA. Finally, it is found that DC has a significant relationship in EA. Originality/value By using the resource based-theory, the study on the decision of EA by SMEs is conducted which focuses on a number of internal and external factors influencing the adoption decision. This differs from other studies using theories of the technological, organizational and environmental, theory of acceptance and use of technology, theory of planned behavior, theory of reasoned action and others which emphasized on the implementation and usage of EA.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 3006-3025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Suess ◽  
Makarand Amrish Mody

Purpose The study aims to examine how features that foster a sense of control, create positive distractions and provide access to social support influence patients’ well-being and, subsequently, their likelihood to choose hotel-like hospital rooms and their willingness to pay higher out-of-pocket expenses for such rooms. While there is increasing evidence to suggest the importance of the provision of hospitality in healthcare settings, research on these developments remains under-represented, particularly in the hospitality literature. In response, the present study builds on Ulrich’s (1991) theory of supportive design to examine patient responses to hotel-like features in a hospital room. Design/methodology/approach Using data from a survey of 406 patients, the authors used structural equation modeling to test the model. Findings Consistent with supportive design principles, the infusion of hotel-like features that foster a sense of control for patients, create positive distractions and provide access to social support was found to positively impact patients’ physical and mental well-being, which, in turn, increased their likelihood to choose a hospital room with hotel-like features and their willingness to pay for such rooms. Practical Implications Findings attest to the need for healthcare providers to make the necessary investment in hotel-like features and to leverage the communicative power of these environmental cues. Social support in the form of hospitality-trained and certified healthcare staff was found to be the most important hotel-like feature, which also presents significant commercial opportunities for hospitality companies and professionals. Originality Value The study represents one of the first attempts to empirically develop a structured model to examine the infusion of hospitality into healthcare. It provides researchers with a theoretically supported framework for future inquiry into the domain. It also makes a significant contribution to advancing the research on patient well-being in healthcare settings and demonstrates the importance of hospitality to such endeavors.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 1138-1158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suhaily Mohd-Ramly ◽  
Nor Asiah Omar

Purpose The global retail landscape has changed drastically. The rising role of Asia as one of the fastest growing international retail penetration and expansion will continue to make the region to be the driving force in world economic growth. However, the ambitious expansion plans are making the retail sector to be more challenging. Emphasizing on the customer experience and enhancing the value proposition to customers are undeniably vital factors for the long-term survival of any retail business. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of store attributes on customer experience and customer engagement in the context of department store in Malaysia. Subsequently, the influence of customer experience on customer engagement is also analyzed. Design/methodology/approach Using drop and collect survey, 484 valid responses of department store cardholders of age 18 years and above in the area Klang Valley, Malaysia, were collected. PLS structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses of this study. Findings Results revealed that customer experience is influenced by merchandise, store atmosphere, and loyalty program, while customer engagement is influenced by merchandise, communication, interpersonal communication, and loyalty. In contrast, post-transaction services were found to have non-significant impact on both customer experience and customer engagement. Analysis also revealed a strong relationship between customer experience and customer engagement. Research limitations/implications This study is carried out on customers of department store in Malaysia. However, the researchers urge other researchers to replicate the study from different countries and category of department stores. Originality/value Retail researchers recognize little knowledge on the contribution of store attributes to customer experience and customer engagement. This paper represents original research that encourages foreign retailers to employ service-dominant logic as a new marketing thought in designing strong customer engagement and experience strategies to capture the Malaysia market.


Author(s):  
Umesh Bamel ◽  
Pawan Budhwar ◽  
Peter Stokes ◽  
Happy Paul

Purpose While a range of studies have been undertaken on role efficacy (RE) and managerial effectiveness (ME), understanding of the link between RE and ME in the extant literature remains underdeveloped and, in particular, there is a need to develop appreciation of the phenomenon in varying (national and cultural) contexts. The purpose of this paper is to advance the understanding of ME by considering the relationship between RE and ME in the Indian context. In tandem with this focus, the study considers the parallel underlying dynamic and influence of social cognitive frameworks and adaptive self-regulation mechanisms. Design/methodology/approach The study employs a quantitative methodology and follows a correlational design. A survey questionnaire was employed sequentially (the independent variable was measured at time 1 and the dependent variable was measure at time 2) in order to collect data from 294 Indian managers. Structural equation modeling was used to ascertain the validity of measures and multiple hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to test the study hypotheses. Findings The results of the study identify that RE dimensions, i.e. role making, role centering and role linkage were significantly and positively related to ME and these findings are particularly important in relation to the transforming cultures of Indian work and organizational environments. These findings advance the understanding of social cognitive theory and adaptive self-regulation processes in relation to RE and ME. Practical implications The empirical results of this study suggest that RE-related components may be used as means to boost employee effectiveness. Originality/value The study identifies a significant role for RE in relation to beneficial outcomes for ME. These findings contribute to the field of social cognitive mechanisms by establishing positive relationships in domain link efficacy, i.e. RE and ME.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1355-1366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meera Shanker

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to find out dimensions of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) in Indian setting and to further examine the role of OCB that impacts employees’ intention to stay, with a view to draw on the deeper influences it carries on the quality work of the organization. Design/methodology/approach Experimental research design was used to find out the causal relationship between these constructs, i.e., dimensions of OCB and intention to stay. Probability sampling method was used to obtain the sample. In total, 475 respondents were approached for data collection. Data were collected using questionnaire method. Findings Factor analysis result revealed five factors of OCB, namely: sportsmanship, altruism, courtesy, civic virtue and conscientiousness, having the reliability of 0.93, 0.89, 0.81, 0.82 and 0.69, respectively, single factor of intention to stay having the reliability 0.87. The findings of Pearson’s correlation, regression and structural equation modeling revealed unequivocal influence of OCB over employees’ intention to stay, suggesting a maneuvering capability of OCB with its influence over employees’ intention to stay in their present organizations. Research limitations/implications Since this study was conducted in India, to establish the external validity has to be judged carefully. The organizations approached for the study were of the MNC level. Practical implications This study is important to understand the citizenship behavior of employees in relation with intention to stay in Indians setting in particular and the world in general. When individual does work, without any expectation, stay with the organization for longer time inculcating, imbibing working culture of the organization which enriches his experiences, utilized in increasing productivity and prosperity of the organizations. Social implications Overall, organizations are facing increased competition day by day; employees are expected to stretch themselves to be in the competition. After certain point of time, employees stop extending themselves, resulting in deteriorating the quality, performance and product. Retaining employees along with maintaining the quality becomes an important concern and issue for organizations. Importance of OCB is considered extensively in Industries in this regard. Originality/value This is an original research in Indian Setting, much researches are not available finding the relationship between OCB and intention to stay in turn which improves the quality of organizations. This research is valuable for business world, are facing problems of retaining the employees which affects their efficiency, productivity and profitability.


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